Times have been changed for some upcoming events - check them below!

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November 15, 2022

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In this Issue:


  • Event Highlights
  • Upcoming Events
  • Useful Links

Event Highlights




Our team was invited to participate in a panel on Arkansas's local food system landscape hosted by the Arkansas Local Food Network on the evening of October 20th at the Arkansas Regional Innovation Hub.


The free, public event was well attended by growers, food business owners, industry professionals, regulators, educators, community gardeners, and many more who are involved in our state's food system. In addition to the networking and learning opportunities, guests were treated to delicious local food from The Root Café and drinks from local breweries, including Stone's Throw Brewing.


The panel included Rip Weaver, extension program technician for local, regional and safe foods; Dr. Amanda Philyaw Perez, extension specialist for food systems and food safety; Dr. Karen Keller Ballard, chief executive officer of B & B Legacy Farms; Karen Reynolds, grants and program manager for the Arkansas Department of Agriculture; Michelle Shope, director of food sourcing and logistics for the Arkansas Hunger Relief Alliance; Jeremy Adams, executive director of the Arkansas Farmers' Market Association; Anna Sawyer, community garden coordinator for the North Little Rock Community Garden Program; and Brandon Gordon, owner of Five Acre Farms. Ruth Canada, engagement and outreach program office for Heifer USA, moderated the event.

On October 11th and 12th the Local, Regional, Safe Foods team hosted our last Produce Grower Training of 2022. We had seven Arkansas produce growers receive their certificates from this remote training and look forward to seeing the ways they help improve the Arkansas food system!


Upcoming Events



Address:

200 W Mockingbird Ln,

Rison, AR 71665

Join us to celebrate the reopening of the Cleveland County Share Grounds Certified Kitchen!


A ribbon cutting will take place on December 1st at 3 pm followed by an open house to tour the kitchen with refreshments. 


This is a space for farms, food businesses, or food entrepreneurs to create value-added products for commercial sales.


Come learn about the technical assistance program and opportunities to rent the certified kitchen.


Potential kitchen clients and interested community members are invited to join us. 

RSVP Here!


Be sure to save the date and come see us at our booth!


The Arkansas Department of Agriculture’s Arkansas Grown program is partnering with Arkansas agriculture associations and organizations to host the first Arkansas Grown Conference & Expo, focusing on the farmers and producers who grow for our local food system

with networking, workshops, farm tours, and a trade show.

Learn more here!


Are you a produce grower who is looking to learn more about the Food Safety Modernization Act (FSMA) Produce Safety Rule (PSR)?


Join us for one of our 2023 Grower Trainings - if you grow produce or are interested in produce safety, you are welcome to attend!


For more information contact Gaby Sanders by replying to this email, or by phone at 501.671.2046.

Useful Links

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